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During the next few days, you decided to try your hand at networking with the maggia. Felicia introduced you to some guys, who introduced you to some other guys, and so on and so forth.
You were surprised to find that a couple of them were fairly decent company. And while you didn’t manage to hit it off with everyone, you found yourself memorizing the names of a few of the guys that were tasked with keeping watch over the eggheads.
From what you’d gathered during your brief interactions, not everyone trusted you the same way that Silvermane did. There was a general air of unease about them whenever you walked by, like they were trying to figure out what you were thinking or what you were about to do. Maybe they just don’t trust anyone that walks around in a mask and tight spandex.
However, there was one thing that you knew for sure. In some shape, way or form, these guys respected you. Word had spread about the weird spider guy that saved their boss, and they were clearly very grateful for that. It was a step in the right direction, but you’d have to prove your loyalty with your actions before more of them started opening up to you.
—--
When you weren’t out making friends with the maggia, you were back in your civvies, taking odd jobs for old acquaintances and new contacts. With your enhanced spider strength and seemingly endless stamina, the only thing that was getting a decent workout was your sense of patience. The jobs were monotonous at best most of the time, but you sort of appreciated being able to breathe freely without the mask getting in the way. How long has it been since you’ve spent this much time outside of the suit? You were almost tempted to blow your identity to Cat and Prowler, just to be able to tear the thing off and feel the wind on your face.
Oh well. There was no point in entertaining the thought at this point in the game. Maybe sometime further in the future when you were absolutely certain that you could trust them completely. It didn’t take long for you to open up to Cindy…but that was different. She’s a special case.
You were glad that you chose her and Flint to look after your folks. They’d send you updates daily. Rich had woken up recently, and he was talking again. Albeit, somewhat slurred and incomprehensible, but it was progress. You wished that you could be there with them.
Your mind tended to wander often when the work was this easy. The hardest part was making it <span class="mu-i">look</span> like you were struggling with the heavy stuff. Now <span class="mu-i">that</span> was exhausting!
Someday, you’d cash in all of these favors when you really needed them. Maybe then you would feel good about hamming it up for the sake of a few grumpy old men that looked like they could use a good laugh. They murmured something about young people not having enough spine, and you laughed right along with them. They’d remember that. And so would you. These people were far removed from maggia politics, and far easier to get along with.
—----
(Cont.)
